ross_shuart Sep 19, 2013
Scott,
First, IANAL and TINLA.
Second, it would appear to be legal, based on the brief excerpts below from the Free Software Foundation, the keepers of the GPL.
== Start excerpts ==
From section 4 of the GNU GPL, ver. 3 (https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html):
"You may charge any price or no price for each copy that you convey, and you may offer support or warranty protection for a fee."
From "Selling Free Software" (http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/selling.html):
"Many people believe that the spirit of the GNU Project is that you should not charge money for distributing copies of software, or that you should charge as little as possible — just enough to cover the cost. This is a misunderstanding.
Actually, we encourage people who redistribute free software to charge as much as they wish or can. If this seems surprising to you, please read on.
The word “free” has two legitimate general meanings; it can refer either to freedom or to price. When we speak of “free software”, we're talking about freedom, not price. (Think of “free speech”, not “free beer”.) Specifically, it means that a user is free to run the program, change the program, and redistribute the program with or without changes.
Free programs are sometimes distributed gratis, and sometimes for a substantial price. Often the same program is available in both ways from different places. The program is free regardless of the price, because users have freedom in using it."
== End excerpts ==
HTH,
Ross Shuart
--- In guide-user@yahoogroups.com, <guide-user@yahoogroups.com> wrote:I know that GUIDE 9 is licensed differently. From the web site it says:
<quote>
How is Guide 9.0 licensed?
Guide 9.0 is distributed under the GNU General Public License. This basically means you can use the software as you wish, including making copies for anyone you wish. (There are some limitations -- GPL doesn't mean "public domain" -- but the limits are not nearly as severe as with "normal" software licenses.)
Therefore, if you wish to purchase a copy and make duplicates for your school, astronomy club, neighbors, etc... go ahead; it's legal.
<unquote>
I had an idea about making 2 or 3 copies of the software and giving them away at a star party as door prizes. Attendees have to pay registration fees to attend this star party and many other big time dealers (Meade, Celestron, TeleVue, DayStar, etc.) have donated door prizes.
Is the idea of giving copies of GUIDE 9 as door prizes to paying guests at a star party legal????
Thanks all! AND ESPECIALLY BILL....THANK YOU for such an AWESOME product! I've been a constant user since 1996 and I still find it incredible to use out in the field.
-Scott Kranz